PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

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Transcript of PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

Martin GrasmeyerDepartment ChairNick DeKosterRenée HartmanJoelle WilliamsVicki FischerAdmin. AssistantGRCHS Counseling DepartmentJUNIOR PARENT NIGHTJanuary 5, 2017HOW IMPORTANT ARE TEST SCORES?COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMSThe ACT or the SAT?The ACT and the SAT are both national tests for college admissionsAll colleges recognize and accept BOTH tests; students should take the test that gives them the best chance for admissions and scholarshipsNOTE: The SAT is the ONLY test used for eligibility for Michigan Competitive Scholarships and State GrantsACT55% of students increase by 1 or 2 points

22% of students have no change

23% of students decreaseSAT55% of students increase by 10 - 30 points

10% of students have no change

35% of students decreaseMost colleges require that your test scores be sent directly from the testing company (i.e. ACT or College Board)Students can send their scores to 4 colleges every time they registerStudents may send additional scores DIRECTLY from the testing agency (i.e. ACT or College Board)www.collegeboard.orgwww.actstudent.orgACT & SAT:RETESTING Important Testing Info: THE AGENDACollege Entrance Exams & Test PrepPost Graduate PlanningPaying for CollegeTimelinesParent's RoleQ & ABreakout Sessions2 Year College, Transfer, CareerBuilding the College ListGap YearSelective College AdmissionsNCAA EligibilityCOLLEGEENTRANCEEXAMSPREPARATIONTESTTEST PREPDid you take a test prep course (or private tutoring) for the ACT or SAT?DATA FROM CLASS OF 2012If YES, do you feel it helped?POST GRADUATEPLANNINGPOST SECONDARY OPTIONSCareer Training Schools

Military

Military Academies

Apprenticeships

Gap Year

Work

College: 2 year & 4 yearCOMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGESLower Tuition

Small Setting

Improve Academic Record

Learn a Trade

Rolling Admissions

2 + 2 OptionCOLLEGE MATCH"Picking a college is like picking a spouse. You don't pick the 'top ranked ' one, because that has no meaning. You pick the one with the personality and character that complements your own."MYTH: THE PERFECT COLLEGEThere is no ONE perfect college. There are several perfect colleges that best meet your needs.

The general level of quality in colleges has risen significantly over the past decades.

For most employers, the name of the college is not as significant as a student's success in college.

The key question is NOT, "is X a good college?"

Rather, the questions is, "is X a good college for me?"FAMILYCONNECTIONFAMILY CONNECTIONComprehensive website that you and your child can use to help in making plans for college and careers

Counselors also use this site (called Naviance) to track and analyze data about colleges and career plans

Family Connection also lets us share information with you and your child about upcoming meetings and events, scholarship opportunities, and other resources for college and career informationFAMILY CONNECTION:

Complete Interest Inventories, Personality Assessments, etc.Research Career Clusters, specific occupations, & college majorsResearch Colleges and Build a College ListSign up to Meet with visiting College RepsTrack College ApplicationsRequest & Send Transcripts and Teacher RecommendationsSTUDENTS WILL USE IT TO...FAMILY CONNECTION:VISIT THE COUNSELOR'S WEBSITE: counselors.grcs.orgClick the FAMILY CONNECTION ButtonEach student will use the same log-in information that they use for NetClassroom

PARENTS: You may have received a 6-digit code linking you to your student's accountOn your first visit, enter the code in the "NEW USER" box ("I need to register")Follow the onscreen instructionsOn subsequent visits, sign in using the "RETURNING USER" box.Use our EMAIL as your log on and the password you set-up on your first visit

If you have NOT received a 6-digit log-in code, email Vicki Fischer at vfischer@grcs.org, and she will email this information.HOW IS IT ACCESSED?FAMILY CONNECTION:COLLEGE PLANINGFAMILY CONNECTION:COLLEGE COMPAREFAMILY CONNECTION:SCATTERGRAM (MSU)FAMILY CONNECTION:TRACK COLLEGE APPLICATIONSFAMILY CONNECTION:EXPLORE CAREERSFAMILY CONNECTION:PERSONALITY & INTEREST INVENTORIESWHAT ARE COLLEGES LOOKING FOR?THE APPLICATION PROCESSTHE APPLICATIONPROCESSTHE APPLICATION:APPLICATION DEADLINES VARYBe aware that deadlines vary depending on the school & program to which you are applyingTHE APPLICATION:TYPES OF COLLEGE ADMISSIONSTHE APPLICATION:APPLICATION FEESMANY COLLEGES CHARGE A FEE FOR YOUR APPLICATIONGRCC, Davenport & Calvin* - FREE!Hope College - $35Michigan State - $50University of Michigan - $75Fee Waivers available; see your CounselorTHE APPLICATION:SENIOR YEAR TIMETABLESEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 1

DECEMBER - APRIL

MAY 1Send out applications

Complete Financial Aid FormsPonder a decision based on letters of acceptance

Colleges require a final decision and/or depositTHE APPLICATION:APPLICATIONS ARE SOARINGGRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY18,122 applications14,969 freshman admittedAcceptance: 82%MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY31,479 applications21,620 freshman admittedAcceptance: 68%UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN46,813 applications15,570 freshman admittedAcceptance: 33%THE APPLICATION:COLLEGES ARE MORE SELECTIVEApplications up 60% since 2002; however, average number of enrolled students has not changed significantly.THE APPLICATION:NCAA ELIGIBILITYDI & DII SPORTSRegister Online:eligibilitycenter.org

Notify Guidance Department

Print RELEASE FORM

More Information in the BREAKOUT SESSIONPAYING FOR COLLEGEFINANCIAL AID:WHAT IS FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID?

GRANTSGrants are called gift aid. Come from federal and state governments and from colleges. Most are need based - usually given based on your or your family’s financial circumstances.

WORK STUDY PROGRAMSThe Federal Work-Study Program offers paid part-time jobs to help students pay for part of their college cost.

LOAN PROGRAMSA loan must be paid back with an extra charge called interest. The federal government offers low-interest loans to students with financial need. Other lenders charge more interest.PAYING FOR COLLEGE NIGHTS(FREE APPLICATION for FEDERAL STUDENT AID)fafsa.ed.govCore document to apply for financial aidCSS Profile (required for certain colleges)

fafsa4caster.ed.govA tool to use to give high school juniors & their families an early jump on how much federal aid they can expect from collegeFINANCIAL AID:STUDENT AID & SCHOLARSHIPSMost student aid comes in the form of FEDERAL EDUCATION LOANS (Need based & determined by FAFSA)GRANTS (Need based & determined by FAFSA)Automatic SCHOLARSHIPS (Merit based & determined by colleges)Other Scholarships (Merit or Need based & students apply)Federal Work Study (Need based & eligibility determined by FAFSA) FINANCIAL AID:NET-PRICE CALCULATORSCollege specificOnline tools provide students with early, individualized estimates of college costs & financial aid

NET PRICE:= FULL COST OF ATTENDANCE - GRANT AID=AMOUNT STUDENTS / FAMILIES HAVE TO EARN, SAVE or BORROW

The timing is key! Students and their families can use NPCs before deciding where to apply.FINANCIAL AID:SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE THROUGH GRCHSRAINBOW FOUNDATIONCalvin CollegeGPA: 3.7+ACT: 25+Servant Leadership$2,5004-year renewable

MARY ANN GUNDY FOREIGN LANGUAGEMajor or minor in foreign language$1,000FINANCIAL AID:BEWARE OF SCHOLARSHIP SCAMSBe wary of any financial aid search company that charges a FEE to match students with sources of financial aid.

For additional information on scams:ftc.gov/scholarshipscamsPARENT'SROLEJUNIOR PARENT / STUDENT CONFERENCESCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENTCounselors will be available from 8AM to 2PM for a 45-50 minute personal college planning conference

Call Vickie Fischer at 574-5651 or email at vfischer@grcs.org to schedule an appointmentCONFERENCE DETAILSGraduation auditCollege planningStandardized testingFinancial aid informationCollege selection processHelpful hints & adviceCollege handbook resourcePLAN COLLEGE VISITSTake a campus tourVisit classes and talk to professorsInterview admissions officersTalk with current college studentsVisit the dorms / library / cafeteriaTake pictures!Class of 2016 averaged 3 visits per studentAll schools have visit options on their websiteJUNIOR YEAR TimelineRegister for the Feb or June ACT Evaluate which test (ACT or SAT) is best for you and schedule a second testSchedule a Junior Parent/Student Conference with your CounselorResearch and begin the college searchAttend a "Build a College List" workshop during lunch break Attend the National College Fair at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids March 28, 2017 Begin college visitsRegister for College Essay Writing Workshop (Summer Session)Register for ACT Prep Workshop (Summer Session)Register and retake the ACT or SAT

TIPS FOR PARENTSDo not buy the college bumper sticker until your child has been acceptedParents should GUIDE not STEERTalk openly and honestly about financesReassure them throughout the process that you are proud of them regardless of the outcomeDiscuss the impact that social media could have on getting in to collegein a recent NACAC report, 26% of colleges reported that they used search engines and social media to research prospective studentsIn SummaryIMPORTANT NOTESPlease complete an evaluation of our presentationAvailable on FAMILY CONNECTION"About Me" tab

Financial Aid NightJuniors & Junior ParentsWednesday, January 20Lower Town Square 6:30 pmGOD'S BLESSINGS AS YOU NAVIGATE THE COLLEGE PATH!-GRCHS Counselors"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."Philippians 2:13JOHN ZOERHOFF MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP2 or 4 year collegeCommunity servicePersonally affected by cancer OR intend to pursue a career in the medical field$1,000Recommended for highly selective schoolsDifferent than SAT, but same test datesHour-long (you can take up to three each test period)Offered in most subject areas, including world languages (20 total)Used to compliment your application and showcase your achievements

http://connection.naviance.com/grchsData from class of 2014A good match...Academic FitHow do you match academically?Campus Culture FitWhat type of school is good is a good fit for you?Financial FitWhat do you know about the cost? Do you know the NET price vs. sticker price?Breakout Sessions2 Year College, Transfer, Career (2nd session)Building a College List (1st & 2nd session)Gap Year (1st session)Selective College Admissions (1st & 2nd session)College Athletics & NCAA Eligibility (1st session)all test dates available @ http://counselors.grcs.orgACT & SAT fee waivers available in counseling officewww.fairtest.orgTEST OPTIONAL COLLEGESSAT Subject TestsNEw!Senior OrientationMandatory meeting for all seniors before school resumesReview College Application ProcessRun through the Common Application (if applicable)

check your email for great resourcesall students should create a College Board account for individualized score info and preparationIndividualized testing plans will be made with students during Scheduling in FebruaryWE WILL RESEND YOUR PERSONAL LOG-IN TOMORROW ALONG WITH EACH PRESENTATION FROM TONIGHTMarch: event for all students and parents

September: event for 12th grade students and parents (will include how to complete FAFSA)complete in October of you student's senior yearuse now to estimate financial aidTIMELINESStudents are the drivers in this processThis a partnership: student, parent & counselorWe help market and advocate for our studentsThe end result is all about the FIT!Sticker Price vs. Net Price

Senior Year TimelineAttend summer session test prep workshop (August)Re-take ACT or SAT (August-October for early deadlines and October-December for regular deadlines or scholarships)Attend mandatory senior parent/student workshop (PM event in late August)Individual counselor/student meetingsBegin/submit college applications (August-December)Send ACT or SAT scores to collegesAttend college representative meetings during lunchVisit collegesComplete the FAFSA (October) and CSS profile if neededSearch for scholarships and send in applicationsMay 1 - College Decision Day (enroll deadline and deposit due)1st Session (7:30-7:55 pm)1. Building a College List (Garage)2. Selective College Admissions (Room 224)3. Gap Year (Room 223)4. College Athletics (room 232)2nd Session (8 - 8:25 pm)1. Building a College List (Garage)2. Selective College Admissions (Room 224)3. 2-year College, Transfer, Career (room 232)Counselors at GRCHS provide a comprehensive program to prepare all students to be effective servants of Christ in contemporary society.